[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 38 (Monday, September 22, 1997)]
[Pages 1364-1365]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the 50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force in 
Arlington, Virginia

September 18, 1997

    Thank you very much. Secretary Cohen, Secretary Widnall, General 
Eberhart, Chaplain Denlinger, Chief Benkin, to the Air Force Band, the 
Air Force Academy Cadet Chorale, the friends and families, especially 
the men and women of the United States Air Force. I'm delighted to be 
here as we celebrate this 50th anniversary of the best air force in the 
world.
    Secretary Widnall thanked me for coming to your 50th birthday party. 
Actually, I thank you for having me. Ever since I turned 50 myself, I've 
been looking for all the company I can find. [Laughter] And since I 
can't run for office anymore, Secretary Cohen, I'm glad to come here and 
have this crowd you raised for me. I appreciate it very much. [Laughter]
    Ladies and gentlemen, 50 years ago, when our Nation emerged from the 
crucible of World War II, we faced a political and military landscape 
that had been forever changed. Our European allies were devastated, the 
Iron Curtain was descending, the values for which we had fought so 
dearly seemed under siege from Europe to Asia. At that moment, only the 
United States had the strength to uphold the struggle for freedom around 
the world. And though our people were eager to turn their energies back 
home, we rose to the awesome responsibility at hand, creating the 
institutions that would protect our security and promote the cause of 
liberty and peace and eventually enable us to prevail in the cold war 
and enjoy the conditions that exist today, when, for the first time in 
human history, more than one-half the people on this planet live under 
governments of their own choosing.
    In 1947, 50 years ago, the 4 essential players in that struggle came 
to life: the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Council, 
the Department of Defense, and the United States Air Force. For the 
record, I think it should be noted that President Truman signed this act 
aboard his so-called ``Sacred Cow,'' the C-54 Presidential aircraft that 
served back then as Air Force One. In case you're wondering, President 
Truman was just like me; he didn't have an escape pod on his plane 
either. [Laughter] I might say, as long as the Air Force is flying me, I 
don't feel the need for a way out.
    Fifty years later, our Air Force remains a world-class force without 
peer, thanks to the extraordinary men and women who serve in it. Your 
soaring spirit, your dedication, your skill have helped America to 
master the skies. You've made us more secure. You've made the world a 
safer place.
    We have seen your courage and expertise in time of war. We have seen 
your compas

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sion and sacrifice in time of peace. We have seen the around-the-clock 
flights of the Berlin airlift. We saw you in Mig Alley in Korea. We saw 
the longest humanitarian airlift in history during the war in Bosnia. We 
saw you in the skies over Baghdad in Desert Storm. And just a few days 
ago, we saw the nine crewmembers of the C-141 perish off the coast of 
Africa after carrying a team of experts to help support our demining 
efforts in Namibia.
    We have seen you rise to the challenges of our time, from the 
development of the air expeditionary forces that give me an invaluable 
tool in time of crisis, to last week's deployment of Commando Solo 
aircraft to help prevent the enemies of peace in Bosnia from sabotaging 
the Dayton agreement.
    We have seen your vision and commitment to excel as you sharpen your 
technological edge to dominate the battlefields of the future. And 
perhaps most important, we see in the 12 outstanding Airmen of the Year 
the best traditions, the best hope, and the brightest future of the Air 
Force, the leadership and talent and dedication that make you second to 
none.
    I want you to know on behalf of all Americans, I am proud of them 
and proud of all of you who serve in the United States Air Force. To the 
pilots, the flight crews, the Red Horse engineers, the technicians, the 
security police, the space and missile operators, all who contribute to 
the strength of America in the skies, and to all the families who 
support you, our Nation is profoundly grateful.
    Today is a well-earned day of celebration for your golden legacy of 
achievement. But as you know better than anyone, there is never a day of 
rest. We pay tribute to the last 50 years with a determination to look 
to our Air Force men and women to help us meet the challenges of the 
next 50 years. We know we can always count on you; we always have. Aim 
high, and reach for new horizons.
    Thank you, and God bless you all.

Note: The President spoke at 1:50 p.m. in the Courtyard at the Pentagon. 
In his remarks, he referred to Gen. Ralph Eberhart, USAF, Vice Chief of 
the Air Force; Maj. Gen. William J. Denlinger, USAF, Chief of Chaplains; 
and Chief Master Sargent of the Air Force Eric Benkin, USAF.